Articles In 'Home Tips'

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

As you know, New Jersey summers can get hot, hot, hot. Last year, the state saw 14 days of 90° weather in July, and 2023 was one of the hottest years on record. Is your air conditioner up to the task of keeping you cool this summer? Make sure by checking out our quick guide to HVAC preventative maintenance, so you can beat the heat this year. Annual HVAC maintenance tips you need this summer Overall, air conditioners are an easy appliance to maintain. Central air conditioners generally require: Re... read more.

• June 11, 2025

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

Firefighters respond on average to over 343,000 home fires a year, and many are preventable. You already know how important it is to have working smoke detectors in your home and that you should check them monthly. Haven’t tested your alarms recently? Go ahead and do so now! However, there are so many additional ways you can increase the safety of your home and lower the risk of a home fire. We’ve compiled a list of frequently forgotten ways to help keep your family and home safe from fires. 1... read more.

• February 27, 2024

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

No one likes to think about it, but fire departments respond to an average of 343,100 home fires every year. If disaster strikes, you could potentially lose your home and all your belongings within it. While you may not own a Picasso painting, all your furniture, electronics, and jewelry can really add up. A home inventory can help you and your insurance company replace what you’ve lost. Here’s how to start yours!   How to create a home inventory A home inventory is simply a record o... read more.

• February 09, 2024

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Emergency Preparedness, Home Tips, Weather Safety

Snowmageddon, hurricanes, or even just a severe thunderstorm can knock out the power to your home. During the best-case scenarios, you can’t stream your favorite movies and TV shows for a few hours. During the worst-case scenarios, your home and family can be in danger. A generator can get you back up and running in no time, and here are six important reasons why your home shouldn’t be without one. 1. Keep medical devices running Many people rely upon electrical medical devices, such as oxyg... read more.

• January 19, 2024

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips, Weather Safety

Rodents are extreme acrobats. They can scale wires, jump, and squeeze through teeny-tiny holes just to seek refuge in your toasty warm home. Once inside your home, mice, rats, and even squirrels can wreak havoc and be difficult to remove. Rodents are not your only concern, unfortunately, as insects can run rampant in the winter, too. Thankfully, there are eight easy steps you can take to prevent these unwelcome visitors from entering your home.          &nb... read more.

• January 19, 2024

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

Save your holiday feast (and home) from being overcooked with these essential holiday cooking safety tips! Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Fire departments respond to an average 158,000 cooking fires annually. Unsurprisingly, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day are the peak days for home cooking fires. "On Thanksgiving Day you're cooking probably more than you normally do," says Andrea Vastis, Senior Director of Public Education for the Nat... read more.

• November 21, 2023

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips, Weather Safety

Summer is in full swing, which means barbecues, swimming pools, and vacation. While we are all celebrating the warmer weather and relaxation, another season is beginning - hurricane season. With the threat of heavy rain, high winds and lightning strikes, now is the perfect time to inspect and trim your trees. The last thing you want is a storm to take down a large branch or tree and damage your or your neighbor’s property. Do my trees need a trim? Before getting out the clippers or calling a profe... read more.

• July 19, 2023

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

It’s National Barbecue Month! Stay safe this month and all summer long with the help of these top outdoor grilling safety tips! May is National Barbecue Month, which means it’s time to fire up the grill! Unfortunately, with a homemade char-grilled burger also comes danger. The National Fire Protection Association reports that approximately 9,079 home fires are caused by gas grills each year, and on average, more than 22,000 people end up in the emergency room each year with grill-related i... read more.

• May 26, 2023

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

As the weather warms up, many Americans head outside for some fun in the sun. Before you kick back and relax, make sure your yard and all its areas are safe for your family and guests. Check out these 10 tips that will help you create a fun and safe outdoor living space that you can enjoy all summer long!   Pool safety tips Enclose your pool A fence is one of the most important safety features your pool can have. The best option is to have a four sided, non-climbable fence and not use your house... read more.

• May 18, 2023

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

Follow these tips to help deter would-be burglars. When you’re a homeowner, you realize right away just how many threats are out there. This is why home security has become such a big business, with so many products and services available. According to IBISWorld: “Revenue for the Security Alarm Services industry has increased at an annualized rate of 3.9% to 34.5 billion over the five years to 2022.” Whether you’re looking to install a new home security system or upgrade your cur... read more.

• May 10, 2023